Ointment applicator



Oct. 19, 1948.

M. M. WERNER OINTMENT APPLICATOR Filed June 26, 1947 INVENTOR. Mac/r M. 'h/erner A TTORNEYS.

Patented Get. 19, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT omce Mack M. Werner, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application June 26, 1947, Serial No. 757L257 12 Claims. (Cl. 12826l) The invention relates to antiseptic dispensing means for ointment and similar medicaments.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Of the drawings:

Fig. l is a top plan of a protector sheath embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing an tubes having screw caps, the ointment or other medicated contents being extruded from a suitable orifice at the end of the tube onto the affected part, such as the eye or nose. A common illustration of this is the application of ointment to the eye, wherein the desired quantity of material, such as mercuric oxide, for example, is extruded from the small opening at the end of the tube directly onto the eyelid or other affected portion of the patients eye. It has been found that this method of application is a serious and frequent source of transferring infections because the feed end or nozzle of the tube, coming in contact with the eyelid or even the eyelashes, is readily infected and such infection is then passed on to succeeding persons to whom application of the same ointment tube may be made. However, short of the expensive expedient of discarding the tube after a single application, there has been no effective and convenient means for disinfecting the applicator portion of the tube between applications to patients.

This problem is made difiicult because of the impracticability of immersing most ointment or other medicament tubes in boiling water for purposes of sterilization. Mercuric oxide ointment, for example, has .a very low melting point and would be entirely liquefied and the contents lost by immersion in boiling water. Other common means of sterilizing are likewise impracticable, such, for example, as dipping the applicator end of the tube in alcohol or other sterilizing fluid because such sterilizing fluid remaining on the applicator would seriously irritate or otherwise harm the delicate'tissues of the eye. When it is understood that an ophthalmologist may employ up to 25 or 30 different medicament tubes in his practice, it will be clear that the problem is a substantial one.

The primary object of my invention is to provide means whereby ointment applicator tubes and similar medicament containers may be used repeatedly on successive patients without the slightest danger of picking up or transferring bacteria or other causes of infection from one patient to another. In accomplishing this object, the invention provides a simple, inexpensive, durable and convenient holder and protector for ointment in which the tube can be readily temporarily encased. Said protector or sheath is designed to hold the tube while in use for the application of ointment, guarding same from contact with the aifected parts of the patient while the ointment is applied and also guarding against contamination of the exposed ointment in the tube nozzle or the applicator nozzle of the tube itself through handling by the doctor or nurses.

In accordance with the invention the tube protector or sheath is readily detachable from the ointment tube after use and is designed for rapid and thorough sterilization by boiling, steaming or other equivalent sterilizing operation. The protector of the invention is designed so as to be interchangeable with others so that it can be applied readily and used with any tube of standard design. Another object of the invention is to provide, during encasement and use of the tube, a convenient and sterile means for guarding and saving the screw cap of the ointment tube so that it will remain with its own tube and not become mixed with others or handled in such a way as to become contaminated or to transfer infection to the tube or its ointment.

It will be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed descrip tion as well are exemplary and explanatory but, are not restrictive of the invention.

Referring now in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention shown by illustration in the accompanying drawings, the. sterilizing sheath or protector generally indicated by l is designed to fit about and replaoeablycontain a conventional ointment tube T. Saidv tubes are customarily made of tin or other compressible material, having a tapered elongated applicator end and nozzle 2 through which the ointment may be extruded and applied in small, quantities to the afiected parts of the patient.

Said applicator nozzle is normally threaded ta.

made in sizes from $4; to A; oz. capacity and usedi in great quantities by physicians in the treatment of the eyes and similar forms ofltherapyt It is the applicator nozzle 2 of such tubes whicl r,

normally comes in contact with the patient and which is contaminated thereby- In accordance with the invention I provide the protector sheath i for housing and permitting use of said tubes 'I in -a sterile manner. Said sheath-was -formed 'comprises main;- cylindrical barrel or bedy- 5-'whi ch-- is-internallyshaped and sized-to -readily receive and "house a tube-Tr The forwardwr nose portion Got sheath; i 'is completely circular in cross-section and tapers-iorwai dly to ahollow tubular nose ornipple 1. Said: forward end portion of 'the sheath is designed ;to receive and house the forward portion: 2 of;th'e tubeT as shown so that-when ointment is extruded from said tube it passes from,the end portion zgthereof through the tubular nipple Tof th;e sl re ath and 'thus;may be applied to the at-j fected partspf the patient in essentially the same; manner ,as, by use of the tube itself;

Ti @Xii idrissl a r the heath is. ut way t he rearpf t e headmp i qnfi to. eave he. lumen-part. i s i barrel ea ni e s de: walls ei srl nq ined d wnwa d y n m aiiwarnly,at...8 ee w -m T is pe mit reedrawe st th inter: medi el e iqni i. the uber for q eez n and n ment tru iQn-r he. .l e ort on i. he. barrcll e minate in. area w rdlr ,lext dine tall I lfwhieh; aprolonea en 91 h:: bottom. element ilin 9Y1ill ii 1&l.b!ldY o arm.said.mandra-v e npgrtipn ,l e, the rearPpartsnoi vth s de walls of the barrel 5 are tapered rather sharply at i L. ucl i eds def llst ma e-, .ed..olltwall y l ee iielipprtiqn of, their e th a at I 2. pathetwhea ressu e o th humb .ortfineeri s applied w J st bsfi et dsea o the s de 1 wells don-notutpti dc the fieshtnncn. epeatednsa EQmh -Purmsepfi esficmvenientlaen a in nd; lq dina estu ,im osit on within.- .the prstectinashwth part es: cfat e, sh aths previ e with: a movabl f adinstablee ee alvati c am memh rx y eans fv zwhichz he hys rv t endant {mavi nt ni nt ne-a e. id-it in iarila asten uba mm ceattes ame hasbee l idn pc i oawiihinithesheatn F9 iisw rqse lc am ins-. e ber was pro: ided cQrnpris ne-a .coni al n; I educ. d shank 8and t e ded-{rum u H and-1 a hreads H engage an internally threaded barrel 69 which; a q m dt at t he t eter: r m t-l t ail-vportian :r l vir$ e3 ani-P ac inane-s eath.- :1 the rim ed-i-i al-s 4 he eon ar; er.isripp d a p d in acei idu ii ias leEmanuele!4 inv the propersdirection until the conic-altip' 85 engages andwedges the seal Hhagainsttail l0:- To prevent the clamping member i i rfrornbeing inadvertently unscrewed'fromthe tail barrel 19,3and thus lost,a tab: may be stamped-tout of tail wadjacent the .innerend of tail barrel l9 and,- after assemblylof clamp member M :in the barrel l9, bent upwardly to engage lightly'thel shank portion l6 and lie: inthe pathof the rear shoulder of the conical tip 15 :asthe latter may be ;-retr-acte d by -unscrewing.,,

Forfacilitating the holding. .of the assembled article, the bottom portion of the protector sheath barrel 5 may be provided with knurling 25 to provide a convenient grip and avoid the danger of theeusersshand slipping forwardlto contaminate -the nipple portiom 1' while thea tubeiyis being set in the sheath. It will be noted that the tail piece Hi and the parts mounted thereon are preferably bent upwardly rearwardly at a slight angle to facilitate holding the tube in place.

In. accordance with the invention it is also desirable to assure that the screw cap 3 of tube Tiissnot "misplaced-a contaminated, or mixed with similarcaps of other tubes, especially those containing difierent ointments. This confusion may readily occur because the physician usesa considerable numberof--such tubes givingtreatments and-the'caps are'normally'a-ll the same size, shape and colorr Accordi-ngly--I"provide-a* convenient.

threadedportion l8formed atth'e' rear "end of.

the clamping'niember i i upon-which the threaded cap may be temporarily screwed during the time that the tube :T' is housedrwithin the sheath" and," attiresametime; act as afinger grip for turning member M. This assures, that the user will always-havethe capg3inhis hand when it .is detached either iromthe tube or the member l8.

In use; a tube -T"is inserted into a sterilized sheath l'as shown in Fig, 4, the cap; ofj'said jtube eingfirst removedvand screwed ontolth'e threaded, member 18." The tube is, readily available for, compression to squeeze ointment outofliits end, v while the sterile nipple 1 acts to prevent infection in use After the physician hasappli'edlthe ointt" t t patient by use-.of 1' the sheath; as: shown, the assembled. sheath;and-jtube are .then putby him into a nonsterile..tray Thesnurse then takes itvand other.v similar. assemblies,.,re mov s the tubes, -therefromvsandiscrews. on their respective caps without touching onscontaminate, ing the exposedlapplicatorends230i said tubes. The sheathsj are-placedinha.boiling .water .sterilizer, panda wholehatchthereof may be sterilized at one time. and ,they are t then ready; folzreuse Withmany .desired.,.tube.

The .material. of. which the. sheath. .ismade (is.- preferably stainless steel, although it maybe any; suitable material which: isv sufiiciently strong andrigid for. theawork-i intended and which. can, be sterilized by, -.b0i1i11g in :water- :or equivalent high? tempe atures.

The inaentionzinz its broader.- aspects :lSrIlQPllIIlr; ited to thesspecifict mechanisms shown \and -dee scribed but: departures; may',be .made; therefrom: within 7 the. scop eeof the. eaccompanying {1 claims Wi hml i departing iromrthe rprinci-pIes ofJthe ink-t ventionn and. without ..sacrificing u itschiei advantages;:

What. I claimvisr- 1 A steriliza'ble protector-for ointment tubes and the like including in combinationa-tube supa porting container irrwhich an ointment tubemay' be removablyhoused," said container-having "a sheath for enclosing thedispensing end of 'sa-idtube; and an opening in-saidsheath for-delive1y of ointment extrudedfirom the-tubey-sairi icon tainep having means i at theend opposite-said. dispensing-endfor holding said tube in sa-id-con tainera 2. -.iA sterilizableproteetor-ids-ointment tubes and mature including in combination :a removable housing fonanzointment tube-said housing-having alcovering. :fo'r -the dispensin end at the tuba-said coveringrincluding a sheath enclosing the nozzleat-thetubeend andeguarding same irom'conta'ct' with surfaces to which ointment is applied, and a conduit through said sheath for delivery and application of ointment extruded from the tube, said removable housing including clamping means at the opposite end from said nozzle end for temporarily locking said tube in said housing,

3. A sterilizable protector for ointment tubes and the like including in combination a removable housing for an ointmenttube, said housing having an end shaped to receive and enclose the dispensing nozzle of the tube, said end including a dispensin nipple for deliverin and applying ointment from the tube and for guarding the tube nozzle from external contact, said removable housing including adjustable clamping means at the opposite end from said dispensing end for removably retaining said tube in said housing.

4. A protector as specified in claim 3 wherein said housing is partially open to expose the tube for compression.

5. A sterilizable protector for ointment tubes and the like including in combination a removable housing for an ointment tube, said housing having an end shaped to receive and enclose the dispensing nozzle of the tube, said end including a dispensing nipple for delivering and applying ointment from the tube and for guarding the tube nozzle from external contact, said housing comprising a cylindrical body adapted to receive and support said ointment tube therewithin, a portion of said body being cut away to expose the tube for compression between its ends, the end ofv the housing receiving the nozzle of the tube being round in cross-section and tapering forwardly to provide said nipple and having a tubular bore extending thereth'rough and communicating with the nozzle of the tube when the tube is seated therewithin, and a movable clamp at the opposite end of the housing for engaging and holding the bottom end of said tube.

6. A sterilizable protector for ointment tubes and the like including in combination a sheath for enclosing the nozzle of an ointment tube having an outlet for delivery of ointment extruded from the tube and movable gripping means at the end opposite said delivery outlet for temporarily attaching said sheath to the tube.

7. A sterilizable protector for tubes, such as ointment tubes or the like, having a removable cap, said protector including in combination a removable housing for said tube, said housing having an end shaped to receive and enclose the dispensing nozzle for delivering and applying ointment from the tube and for guarding the tube nozzle from external contact, said removable housing including adjustable clamping means at the opposite end from said dispensing end for removably retaining said tube in said housing, and means for retaining said tube cap when it is detached from the tube.

8. A sterilizable protector for ointment tubes and the like including in combination a sheath for enclosing the nozzle of an ointment tube and having an outlet for delivery of ointment extruded from the tube, and adjustable clamping means at the end opposite said dispensing outlet for temporarily attaching said sheath to said tube, said clamping means comprising a tail portion extending from the body of said protector and a threaded bolt attached to said tail portion for engaging the rear end of said tube.

9. A sterilizable protector for ointment tubes and the like including in combination a sheath for enclosing the nozzle of an ointment tube and having an outlet for delivery of ointment extruded from the tube, and adjustable clamping means at the end opposite said dispensing outlet for temporarily attaching said sheath to said tube, said clampin means comprising a tail portion extending rearwardly from the central portion of said protector at an angle inclined with respect to said central portion, a hollow barrel portion at the rear end of said tail portion, and a threaded bolt adjustably positioned in said barrel so as to contact the end of said tube opposite the dispensing end.

10. A sterilizable protector for ointment tubes and the like including in combination a tubesupporting container in which an ointment tube may be removably housed, said container having a sheath for enclosing the dispensing end of said tube, an opening in said sheath for. delivery of ointment extruded from the tube, and movable grippingf means for removably pinioning said tube in said housing, said means comprising a portion extending from the rear end of said housing in an upwardly and rearwardly direction with respect to the central body portion of said housing, a cylindrical retaining member at the baclc' end of said rear portion, and a threaded stud engaging the walls of said retaining member and adjustably mounted in said member, said stud having a. head facing the rear end of said tube.

11. A sterilizable protector for ointment tubes and the like including in combination a removable housing for an ointment tube, said housing having a covering for the dispensing end of the tube, said covering including a sheath enclosing the nozzle at the tube end and guarding same from contact with surfaces to which ointment is applied, a conduit through said sheath for delivery and application of ointment extruded from the tube, and clamping means for removably pinning said tube in said housing, said means comprising a tail portion extending rearwardly from the bottom :of said body portion of said housing in a direction in acclivity with said body portion and a tab raised from said tail portion and in engagement with the shank of said stud.

12. A sterilizable protector for tubes, such as ointment tubes or the like, having a removable cap, said protector including in combination a removable housing 'for an ointment tube, said housing having an end shaped to receive and enclose the dispensing nozzle of the tube, said end including a dispensing nozzle for delivering and applying ointment from the tube and for guarding the tube nozzle from external contact, said removable housing comprising a portion extendin from the rear end of said housing in an upwardly and rearwardly direction withres'pect to the central body portion of said housing and a stud having a shank portion adjustably mounted in said tail portion for engaging the rear end of said tube, said stud also having a further shank portion of diameter approximately that of said tube cap for temporarily retaining said tube cap when it is detached from said tube.

' MACK M. WERNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the Switzerland Oct. 1, 1934 

